Dover police officers cited for excellence

DOVER — The annual awards banquet for the Dover Police Department was held Friday evening, honoring those in the department who have gone above and beyond their day-to-day duties.

“I think we have an outstanding department,” Police Chief Tony Colarusso said before handing out the 2012 James A. Ridings Memorial Award, the first of the night, to officers Scott Petrin, Joe Caproni and Daniel Gebers.

During the ceremony, held at the McConnell Center and catered by Cartelli's Bar and Grill, a retired member of the police force, K9 Norman, was also honored along with his longtime partner Officer Timothy Keefe, with a certificate of distinguished service.

Norman, along with Keefe, helped to seize approximately $1,317,400 in cash value of drugs over his decade with the department, $5,000,000 in the cash value of property seized, and more than 500 pounds of marijuana, five pounds of cocaine, 10 grams of heroin, 1,500 ecstasy pills, six pounds of psilocybin mushrooms and 1.5 ounces of meth.

Colarusso joked that Norman, a golden retriever, will now be on full retirement benefits with the department.

His handler, Keefe, said their relationship became so strong over the years that Norman now lives at his home and has become best friends with his daughters.

“We're going to miss Norman, but hopefully he hangs around for a while,” Colarusso said.

“He breaks down barriers,” Keefe said of Norman's presence. “No one thinks he's a police dog.”

Traffic Enforcement Officer of the Year was awarded to Officer Sean Kennedy, awarded for his number of quality motor vehicle stops, his ratio of summonses to warnings, and the officer's appropriate impact on unsafe traffic activities such as driving while intoxicated, speed and occupant protection.

Teen Center Director Steve Pappajohn was awarded the Chief Daniel Smith Award for Exceptional Service for the work completed on a daily basis in the community.

“He builds relationships and friendships with kids that many people choose not to interact with,” Colarusso said, describing Pappajohn as a “crime prevention” agent in the community.

“He's always had it together,” Colarusso said. “We know he's affecting the kids who come into the teen center.”

Officer Jim Yerardi was awarded for the Daniel Smith Award for Exceptional Service for his work on Nov. 27 when he responded to a domestic disturbance call and made a difference in the life of a child that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

“We really feel after reviewing this case that the child was in serious trouble,” Colarusso said.

Yerardi had noticed bruising on the child's face and got the child medical attention, which ultimately led to the seriousness of the situation.

Both the mother and father were arrested in that instance as a result of his pushing to ask questions.

Sgt. Marn Speidel was awarded with the Employee of the Year award and recognized for being extremely detail oriented and organized.

“He's always there to assist anyone and everyone,” Colarusso said.

The Medal of Valor was awarded to Detectives Greg Turner and Dev Atma Khalsa, who were part of the Greenland drug raid last April when Greenland Police Chief Michael Maloney was fatally shot.

“It's long overdue,” Colarusso said of the two awards.

The two detectives were part of a drug raid in Greenland on Post Road in April 2012 that resulted in a barrage of gunfire wounding five officers.

Colarusso said the actions that day by his two detectives were outstanding.

“This group was doing a team job. They did a great job,” Colarusso said. “Their job was to go get drug deals. And that's what they do.”

“It was a tragedy, but you did your job,” Colarusso said as he presented Atma Khasla with his award.

Colarusso emphasized the actions taken by the detectives that allowed for other wounded officers to be evacuated from the scene.

Khalsa was only concerned with the other members of the drug task force team, Colarusso said,

“It was an outstanding performance that night,” he said.

The awards banquet is an important part of the department's yearly events as it brings everyone together along with their families and honors the great work done by all.

“An outstanding job by everybody,” Colarusso said.

Also recognized were Brian Bortz with the department's creative innovation award, who Colarusso said has an “ongoing ability to think through our projects and come up with a more efficient process,” and the city of Dover's Community Service Department, which colarusso said “on a day-to-day basis don't realize how much they help us do our jobs.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.